A witness from the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Adams, has told the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, how the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was allegedly blackmailed through a Facebook post.

Testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, Adams said the allegation surfaced during an investigation into the defendant’s activities. According to him, evidence was obtained after investigators examined the defendant’s mobile phone and Facebook account, where several videos were discovered.

He told the court that in the videos, the defendant, Moses Oddiri, accused EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, of intercepting and diverting ₦4 billion allegedly released by Heritage Operational Services Limited for the Orogun Community in Delta State.

Adams, who serves in the DSS Economic Intelligence and Investigation Department, said the agency received a petition from the EFCC on September 23, 2025. The petition alleged that Oddiri had published and circulated false claims on social media accusing the EFCC Chairman of embezzling over ₦4 billion in royalties recovered for the Orogun community.

“Based on the petition, my director directed my team and me to investigate the matter,” he said.

He further disclosed that Oddiri was arrested in Lagos on November 10, 2025, and brought to the DSS office for questioning. According to Adams, the interview was audio-visually recorded in the presence of a legal aid counsel, and the defendant volunteered a statement under caution. Other witnesses were also invited and interviewed.

The witness said investigators downloaded several videos from the defendant’s Facebook page and requested financial records from First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Zenith Bank. They also obtained incorporation documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission concerning community development entities operating OML 30 in Delta State, including the Orogun Kingdom Community Trust reportedly registered by the defendant.

Adams added that the DSS obtained copies of letters related to a petition the defendant had written to the UK Serious Fraud Office, accusing the EFCC Chairman, as well as a letter from Wahab Shittu (SAN), counsel to the EFCC Chairman, demanding a retraction of the allegations.

He said a preliminary report was later submitted to his superiors, and a certificate of compliance was filed. The agency also sought information from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission as part of its investigation.

Earlier, prosecution counsel, C.S. Orubor, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the commencement of trial and consideration of bail, stating that the prosecution was ready to proceed.

However, defence counsel, M. Adeniran, objected, arguing that he had not been granted access to his client, who remained in DSS custody, and therefore could not adequately prepare for trial.

Despite the objection, Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the trial should proceed after confirming that the defence had been served with the relevant court processes. She subsequently adjourned the matter until March 13 for continuation of trial and hearing of the bail application.

Oddiri was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on cybercrime, punishable under Section 24(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024.